The draft standards set out the minimum requirements that providers of these services must achieve. They also set the level of service that people using the services can expect to receive.

Mr Poots said: “These standards mean that those people accessing independent healthcare will be assured of the minimum level of care they can expect to receive.

“They go some way to ensuring patients and clients are well-treated and cared for and will create a benchmark against which providers can measure their services.”

The Minister added: “This consultation is another important step on the road to improving the quality of all regulated services and I encourage anyone with an interest to make their views known.”

The final standards will be used by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority as part of its programme for the registration and inspection of independent healthcare establishments to assess and report on the quality of care delivered.